Glad the sandbag purchase worked out for you dude. For some run, try weighing it sometime. I found out that 50lbs of sand typically doesn’t weigh 50lbs, but usually about 5lbs more because of moisture. You might be moving more than you think, haha.
2 Likes
Day 1 report after using sandbag: something I kind of anticipated as I finished the workout last night, my biceps are very sore. This is one reason I went for the sandbag - I’ve gotten relatively efficient at standard barbell squatting and pulling, but wanted an “odd object” that would push me in some different ways. Good stuff.
That’s good to know, but not a huge concern for me. I’m not intending to compete so the exact weight matters less than just knowing that I am making progress. When I can lift, shoulder, and carry around my “150” (plus?) sandbag, then I’ll toss another “50 pound” bag in there (maybe, I could be a little overzealous).
Thanks again for the info you provided over in your log. Over the next few months I expect the sandbag to become a major factor in my “conditioning” work and efforts to become a little more well-rounded guy that can do more than just “deadlift 600 pounds” (that’s my one trick for now).
4 Likes
Tuesday 2/20
Back Squat
5x135
5x165
5x195
5x225
5x255
2x285
2x315
2x345
A couple things: one, my biceps were really sore after wrestling the sandbag yesterday, so squats were pretty much the only choice. Two, I’ve decided that while embracing the power of low-volume, high-frequency training is my favorite, I’ve been far too lazy in doing basically only singles and doubles (for squats, anyway; I much prefer this for deadlifts) and probably been sacrificing some progress. Ergo, from this day forward, I will do at least my first five warmup sets with FIVE reps apiece (so I get up to at least 5x255) before switching to doubles as I approach my top set or two. Rippetoe will be so proud to know that I’m doing my fives. Sort of.
7 Likes
The sandbag thing sounds very interesting and I look forward to seeing more of your thoughts as you progress and adjust 
1 Like
Wednesday 2/21
Deadlift
5x135
4x225
3x315
2x405
1x495
1x530
1x565
So this was probably kinda dumb, but it all worked out. I didn’t deadlift heavy last week after the challenge; my hamstrings and lower back felt tender all week and just started feeling better yesterday.
But then today, I watched Jerry Pritchett and Hafthor Bjornsson’s Road to the Arnold videos and was overcome by the urge to pull heavy(ish). These were all smooth, although bar speed slowed a bit at 565. I briefly considered taking 600 tonight, but decided to be (a little) smart and save that for a day where I’ll be a little bit fresher. This was still the heaviest I’ve pulled in 2018, and damn if it didn’t feel good. I’ll crush a 600+ pull in the next month or two, when I’ve planned a little better for it.
EDIT: I am also now a bit of a beer dork, so I’m going to occasionally drop in my nightly beer. I don’t drink heavily, but it’s become somewhat of a nightly ritual to have one hearty beer after work and lifting (not that I need the alcohol, but the act feels very calming, sort of my cue that it’s “sit back & relax” time). Tonight is a Dragon’s Milk Bourbon Barrel Aged Stout from Holland Brewing in Michigan, one of my absolute favorites.
7 Likes
I am a beer kinda lady but I am not sure what that is your drinking… dark and strong?!?
Yes, very dark and strong, haha (it’s 11% ABV, so you only need one). I was not much of a beer drinker until the last year or so. Really didn’t drink at all in college, never got on that train. Started with a little wine here and there in my 20’s, then a little whiskey, then finally got myself into beer a little bit. I don’t like to drink a LOT of beer, just one or two, so the beers that I tend to drink are usually the very dark, strong, heavy porters and stouts. I also like buying local/small whenever possible so I try to support places from around Pittsburgh or other towns that I have some connection to (for example, my preferred hard cider comes from Biglerville, PA which is a small town close to where I grew up).
2 Likes
Thursday 2/22
Sandbag “Front Lifts”
17x1 (EMOM) @ 150 pounds
Zoinks, my biceps. This is going to be really good for making me a more well-rounded lifter.
Tonight’s beer: Pizza Boy Brewing Co (Enola, PA) Sunny Side Up Coffee Stout. Merely 9.5% ABV tonight. Very smooth, a little bitter from the coffee. Good, but not as good as Dragon’s Milk, at least not on my palate.
3 Likes
I’ll have to check that out the next time I’m in Pittsburgh! I went there a few months ago and wanted to stop at the church they converted into a brewery but it didn’t happen yet. Trying new types of beer and wine is something I love to do… I like to see how they do it and the crazy flavors they come up with. Most of the ones that sound nasty are the best lol 
I don’t know about “nasty” but I do love some weird-flavored beers (chocolate, coffee, peanut butter, stuff like that).
Church Brew Works is a really cool place to check out. The beer is good and the building is a cool historic throwback if you’re into that sort of thing (or even if not history, if you just appreciate a cool structure).
A couple other cool places to check out if you’re popping up to the Burgh for a booze-themed trip are Fat Heads, Industry Public House, and Arsenal Cider House. The first two are brewpub-style places that serve lots of local beers and an assortment of delicious grub (wings, burgers, all the stuff that tastes so good). The third is a smaller niche place, more like visiting a “winery” (a very small one that’s located on a city street, haha) than a restaurant. You can taste an assortment of different hard ciders and buy it in growlers.
1 Like
That is so awesome thank you for letting me know what’s good!!! I’m excited to go back and try some of those places out. I do like historical areas too I just haven’t done much exploring there so it’s nice to know someone to tell me about it.
Friday 2/23
Back Squat
5x135
5x165
5x195
5x225
5x255
2x285
2x315
2x345
2x315
Tonight’s beer: repeat of last night, the Pizza Boy Brewing Coffee Stout (9.5% ABV).
2 Likes
Saturday 2/24
Bikram Yoga (90 Minutes)
Sunday 2/25
Warmup Deadlifts
5x135
4x225
3x315
2x405
Main Event: Strongman “Medley”
Deadlift 1x450
150-LB Sandbag Carry x 80 feet
Five rounds in 12 minutes. Way more brutal than I thought haha. This is really going to be good for all-around strength and conditioning. I did the carries in sort of a “Husefell stone” position (in front, held at chest level). My driveway is about 80 feet long, a really good distance for carries.
4 Likes
Monday 2/26
Back Squat
5x135
5x165
5x195
5x225
5x255
5x285
2x315
Sandbag “Front Lifts”
10x1 @ 150 pounds (EMOM)
Tonight’s beer: Southern Tier Thick Mint Imperial Stout (10% ABV). So I normally love all things Southern Tier (Pumking in the fall is fantastic) but I think they missed the mark just a little here. This is a smooth dessert beer but it’s just a little TOO sweet and milkshake-y for me.
3 Likes
I was watching your log closely before but now that you are including feedback on beer I will be completely addicted 
1 Like
I do what I can to give the people what they want!
Side note: my wife and I decided to buy a spinning bike for some home cardio. We found that moving to the suburbs made it much more difficult to run outside (SUPER hilly, no sidewalks or streetlights in our neighborhood) and with a little one on the way this summer it will be a convenience.
I love training this way but I know that I’ll grind myself into the ground if I do heavy squats, deadlifts and/or Strongman work every single day. What I’ll (probably) do is about this:
Monday: Back Squat 2x405ish
Tuesday: Spinning
Wednesday: Front Squat 2x315ish
Thursday: Spinning
Friday: Deadlift 1x525-600ish
Saturday: Hot Yoga
Sunday: Strongman “Events”
7 Likes
Congrats on the lil one! I’m starting to think that is in the cards for me. I’ve enjoyed five years of married and comfortable life and it’s probably time to give my parents grandkids. ha.
Honestly my stairclimber was the best thing I have bought. Even though I have sidewalks and street lights, climbing stairs at 530am while in your garage watching tv sure beats being cold outside in the dark. I’d love to get a rower next.
6 Likes
If it’s not too late I can’t recommend the airdyne over a standard spin bike enough. Unless of course it’s for a bike specific workout rather than general cardio in which case the spinner is probably the superior option.
2 Likes
Congratulations!! That is awesome and exciting news for you all. I hope you all have a safe and happy new family. There are so many people that I just found out are having a baby.
1 Like